Segmented structure, in particular for a satellite antenna reflector, with combined rotation and translation deployment device

Abstract

A segmented structure includes at least two panels, a so-called main panel and a so-called secondary panel, as well as at least one deployment device configured to move the connected secondary panel into a storage position or into a deployed position. The deployment device includes a translation system provided with at least one helical geared motor configured to translate the secondary panel relative to the main panel. The translation system further includes a rotation system configured to rotate the translation system and the secondary panel connected to the translation system, relative to said main panel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Segmented structure, in particular for a satellite antenna reflector, said segmented structure comprising:
 at least two panels, intended to be deployed in space, a first panel referred to as the main panel, comprising a front face and a rear face, and a second panel referred to as the secondary panel, also comprising a front face and a rear face; and 
 at least one deployment device connected to the respective rear faces of said main and secondary panels and is configured to bring said secondary panel into one or the other of the following two positions, relative to said main panel;
 a storage position, in which said secondary panel is positioned at least in part on said main panel on the rear face thereof, the front face of said secondary panel being directed in the same direction as the front face of said main panel; and 
 a deployed position, in which said secondary panel is positioned towards the outside of the main panel, to the side and against said main panel in order to form a continuous assembly at least on the front faces thereof, 
 wherein said deployment device comprises: 
 a translation system comprising at least one translation unit provided with a helical geared motor, said translation system being connected to said secondary panel and being configured to generate a translational movement of said secondary panel relative to said main panel; and 
 a rotation system configured to cause said translation system and the secondary panel connected to said translation system to rotate relative to said main panel, said rotation system comprising at least one rotation unit configured to generate a rotation between a first structural element rigidly connected to the rear face of the main panel and a second structural element, to which the translation system is connected. 
 
 
     
     
       2. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotation system comprises two rotation units respectively arranged on either side of the main panel along an axis corresponding to the axis of rotation of said two rotation units. 
     
     
       3. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each rotation unit comprises a rotary motor. 
     
     
       4. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each translation unit comprises a rotary motor arranged on said second structural element, said rotary motor being configured to drive an endless screw acting on a third structural element rigidly connected to the rear face of the secondary panel so as to move the secondary panel in translation relative to the main panel. 
     
     
       5. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each translation unit is provided with a flexible link. 
     
     
       6. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the translation system comprises at least two translation units, and in that each translation unit is arranged on a second structural element of the rotation system. 
     
     
       7. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the translation system comprises a translation unit and at least one guiding unit producing a sliding link. 
     
     
       8. Segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises:
 a central main panel; 
 two secondary panels arranged on either side of said central main panel in the deployed position so as to have a parabolic shape; and 
 two deployment devices respectively associated with said secondary panels. 
 
     
     
       9. Satellite antenna reflector, wherein the satellite antenna reflector comprises a segmented structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. Satellite, wherein the satellite comprises at least one segmented structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       11. Method for deploying a segmented structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises successive steps consisting, during deployment from the storage position to the deployed position, in:
 a) rotating the translation system, to which the secondary panel is connected, in a first rotation direction by means of the rotation system, in order to space the secondary panel from the main panel; 
 b) translating the secondary panel in a first translation direction towards the outside by means of the translation system; 
 c) rotating the translation system, to which the secondary panel is connected, in a second rotation direction opposite to said first rotation direction by means of the rotation system, in order to bring the secondary panel substantially into the same average plane as the main panel; and 
 d) translating the secondary panel in a second translation direction opposite to said first translation direction towards the inside by means of the translation system, in order to bring said secondary panel into the deployed position.